“What? You’re not coming to see…?”
I stared, the words trailing off. The flame of hope that had kept me going through so many cold years was finally sputtering out. For a long moment, I sat in numb shock, until my father, his eyes on the scenery flying by outside the window, spoke in a matter-of-fact tone.
“I understand that Xander has made some serious accusations against RJ Calloway’s boy, Rhett, concerning that young man’s death.”
I swiveled my head. “What…?”
“RJ is a good friend of mine, and Rhett has a promising future that Xander is threatening with his baseless accusations. A defamation suit for attempting to ruin Rhett’s reputation wouldn’t be unreasonable.”
My heartbeat thrashed in my ears. “No, you can’t. It wouldn’t work. Xander didn’t do anything wrong.”
“That would be up to the courts to decide. And it would be up to Xander to defend himself. Court fees, lawyer fees…it can all be so time-consuming and expensive. Ruinous, even. Especially for someone struggling to find decent residential care for an ailing parent.”
“Why?” I cried. “Why would you do that?”
“I was lax with Jack,” he said. “I won’t make the same mistake withyou. I’m not going to let you throw your life away like he has. If I have to tighten the lead, so be it.”
My father turned his head to me, his blue eyes seeming to pierce straight into my heart.
“One phone call, Emery,” he said, the threat heavy in his mild voice. “One phone call is all it will take. Do you understand?”
The cliff crumbled away. “I do.”
Chapter 37
Xander
Early Saturday morning, I laid out my rented tux for prom on my bed and set the plastic container with Emery’s corsage beside it. For the hundredth time I checked my phone. She hadn’t returned any of my texts, and all of the dozen calls I’d made to her in the past two days had gone to voicemail. Now that I’d walked away from CHA, I couldn’t see her every day, and I missed her.
I miss my wife.
It was a bad idea, to refer to Emery that way, even in my mind, but I couldn’t seem to stop doing it. Like poking a wound over and over again so that it never heals. I’d vowed to never use it as an emotional weapon against her, to make her feel pressured or guilty, but I’d also vowed to love her forever, because I did. Another paradox—I loved my wife but wouldn’t call her thatbecauseI loved her.
I shot a text to Harper.Any word from Emery?
The reply came quick.No. Her dad showed up at school two days ago, and I haven’t heard from her since. I’m sorry! I should have texted you ASAP, but I wasn’t thinking.
Her dad. Of course.
It’s okay. I’ll try again.
Hold on.…
I waited a minute and then Harper came back.
Delilah says they’re at the CC setting up for prom.I eased a sigh of relief until she texted again.But she says Em isn’t going???
My heart—this battered, bruised thing in my chest—became heavy with new anxiety.
I texted Harper.Heading over now.
On my way downstairs I checked on my dad in his room. Though it was early morning, he was awake, the glare of the TV casting a blue glow over his dull features. He’d lost so much weight, so much light from his eyes. The dementia that laid waste to his mind revealed itself in the wasting away of his body too.
“I’ll be right back, Dad,” I said. “Don’t go anywhere.”
“Hm? Tell your mother she’s late, and we’re going to start dinner without her.”
“I will.”
